Arizona's Caleb Love might have a little extra motivation if he winds up facing ex-teammate RJ Davis of North Carolina on Saturday in the Elite Eight.
Davis and Love were earlier named among 10 Naismith TrophyΒ semifinalists, while only Davis, Purdue's Zach Edey, Tennessee'sΒ Dalton Knecht and Houston's Jamal Shead were named finalists for the award, one of college basketball's major player of the year awards.
A senior transfer from North Carolina, Love became the Pac-12 Player of the Year this season while leading Arizona (27-8) in scoring with an average of 18.1 points per game. He is shooting 41.8% overall and 34.3% from 3-point range.
Davis is a consensus first-team all-American and ACC Player of the Year. Last week, he was named a first-team Associated Press All-American while Love landed on the third team.
Arizona and Clemson will play a West Regional semifinal game Thursday in Los Angeles for the right to play the winner of a later Sweet 16 game between North Carolina and Alabama on Saturday.
Purdue's Zach Edey won the Naismith Trophy last season and is a frontrunner to win player of the year awards this season.
Other semifinalists who weren't named finalists include Duke's Kyle Filipowski, Dayton's DaRon Holmes II, Marquette's Tyler Kolek, San Diego State's Jaedon LeDee and UConn's Tristen Newton.
